Connecting More Volunteers to Global Health
At Timmy Global Health, most of our international service trips take place through our student chapters. Throughout the academic year, chapter members serve their local communities, advocate for global health, and fundraise to support our international partners before traveling together on a medical service trip.
As our Timmy community has grown, we recognized the need to create opportunities for others who want to be part of this experience—including Timmy alumni, students interested in starting a chapter, chapter members who have not yet had the chance to travel on a Timmy trip, and supporters who are passionate about global health and service.
To make these opportunities more accessible, Timmy created two volunteer trips that are open to a broader audience: the Connect Trip and the Alumni Trip. You can learn more about our Alumni Trip here. On this blog post, we're excited to highlight the incredible impact of our Connect Trip.
In June 2026, Timmy hosted its first Connect Trip in Montecristi, Dominican Republic, in partnership with BANELINO. The trip welcomed 16 general volunteers, including students from Howard University, Marian University School of Medicine, and DePauw University.
One of the most exciting aspects of this trip was the opportunity to support student participation through the Timmy Scholarship, which made it possible for three Howard University students to join the experience. These scholarships help remove financial barriers and ensure that more students can participate in life-changing global health service opportunities. You can help support future student volunteers by donating to the Timmy Scholarship.
Serving Communities in Montecristi
Our Connect Trip team included nine medical professionals who provided care across five communities in Montecristi. Working alongside our local partner BANELINO and community members, the team offered access to primary healthcare while learning about the realities of healthcare delivery in underserved settings.
We were especially grateful for the leadership of longtime Timmy Trip Leader and registered nurse Anna Takaku, whose guidance helped create a welcoming and educational environment for students and volunteers. Her experience ensured that participants felt prepared, supported, and comfortable throughout the trip.
Voices from the Trip
When asked what they enjoyed most about the experience, one student shared:
“Interacting with everyone from the bateys, other schools, the medical professionals, translators, and community members. I loved hearing everyone’s stories!”
A volunteer registered nurse reflected on the impact of the trip:
“I felt that the length and scope of the work were appropriate for the conditions. I enjoyed overseeing and guiding a rotating group of students and general volunteers in the pharmacy, and I hope they felt they benefited from the experience. I was definitely positively impacted by the trip. The entire experience was so well organized that it enabled us to truly provide meaningful care across the different sites. I had an amazing experience and will be encouraging others to learn about Timmy Global Health.”
Looking Ahead
The Connect Trip represents an exciting step forward for Timmy Global Health. By opening service opportunities to a wider community of volunteers, we are creating new pathways for students, alumni, and supporters to engage in global health, learn from local partners, and contribute to meaningful healthcare initiatives.
We are inspired by the enthusiasm of our volunteers, and we look forward to expanding these opportunities in the years ahead. Be on the lookout for the 2027 Timmy Connect Trip and reserve your spot. Check out our volunteering opportunities.
